Hoop ball



HOOP BALL Fired Feb. 1s, 19:56

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to toys of the type comprising a ball suitablyattached to a handle wherein a decided degree of skill and dexterity ofmovement is required to propel the ball in desired directions.

The object of this invention is to provide a rigid loop at the end of ahandle and to attach to said loop by an elastic cord, a ball, adaptedupon suitable manipulation by the person operating the toy to be passedthrough said loop from one side to the other.

Other objects of the invention relate to the manner of attaching theelastic cord both to the loop element and to the ball, as well as toprovide an improved toy of this character which is simple inconstruction and operation and designed `to amuse not only children butalso adults.

Theinvention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of whichthe accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts ofthe invention are designated by the same reference characters in each ofthe views, and in which:-

Figure 1 is-a plan view of the toy,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is a detail View showing a modified method of attaching theelastic cord to the ball.

The improved toy comprises a handle Ill of any desired shape andmaterial which is provided at one end with a stili orrrigid loop II ofcircular or any other shape. The loop II is preferably made of a singlelength of stiff Wire bent in the form of a circle with the ends of thewire arranged in abutting relation to provide a stem I2, that is adaptedto be inserted longitudinally within the handle and secured thereto inany suitable manner. It is to be understood that the form of loop andhandle shown constitutes one embodiment of the same as the loop may bemade and attached to the. handle in any number of ways. For example, theloop II may be in the form of a ring made either of llat or roundmetallic stock and may be attached to the handle by means of a screw orrivet. If the handle is of 4metal the loop I I may be spotweldedthereto.

Suspended from the loop II by an elastic cord I4 is a ball I5. Theelastic cord I4 is of the type commonly referred to as a rubber band,the ends of which are attached to the loop I I at diametrically opposedpoints I6 and I 1 as clearly shown in Figure 1. 'I'he ends of theelastic cord are secured in any suitable manner to the wire loop, and

preferably by a double ball-hitch knot. To fasten the ball I5 on theelastic cord I4 the same is drawn through a diametral opening in theball of less width than the thickness of said cord. Inasmuch as the ballI5 is preferably of rubber 5 there will be a friction grip between theball and the elastic cord that is more than sufcient to hold the ball inplace. In order for the toy to function properly the elastic cord oneach side of the ball, see Figure 2, should be of equal length. 10

To properly use this toy, the handle is held in the hand of the personplaying with the same, and by a proper manipulation thereof the ball ispassed through the loop from one side to the other. This is generallydone by bouncing the 15 ball on the oor, then through the loop and tothe iioor on the other side, back through the loop and so on. Numerousvariations in the manner of playing with the toy readily presentthemselves, as for example, a skillful operator may pass the ballthrough the loop from side to side without the same touching the oor.

In Figure 3 there is shown an alternate manner of aflixing the ball I5to the elastic cord I4, in the form of toy shown in Figure 1. 'I'his isaccomplished by bringing together the intermediate portion of' theelastic cord I4 as at 20 and inserting the same through a diametralopening in the ball I5. The ball I5 is pulled up on the end portion 20of the elastic cord so that the looped end 2I thereof will project fromthe lower surface of the ball. In view of the elastic nature of theelastic cord I4, the end 2| will assume its natural size thus assistingin holding the ball I5 securely in place. Again both sections of theelastic cord 35 I4 should be of the same length to insure propersuspension of the ball as well as balance thereof, as will be readilyappreciated.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, whatls claimed is:

A toy comprising a handle, a loop secured to one end of said handle, anelastic cord secured at its ends to said loop at points diametricallyopposed to each other, a ball provided with a diametral opening, saidelastic cord centrally of 45 its ends being folded to form an endportion adapted to be inserted entirely through said ball opening and toproject a slight distance beyond the same to define a looped end, saidend portion being held in friction tight engagement within 50 said ballopening.

WILLIAM B. REYNOLDS.

